Unionists were tonight challenged to say if they would respect a referendum decision by a majority of people in Northern Ireland to be part of a united Ireland.
In a speech questioning the willingness of unionists to embrace the change demanded by the Belfast Agreement, Sinn Féin chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin accused Mr David Trimble's Ulster Unionist Party, in particular, of resisting large sections of it.
He told a public meeting in Balbriggan, Co Dublin: "The time has come for unionist leaders to tell nationalists and republicans if they will honour the 'Principle of Consent' when, not if, a majority in the North favours Irish unity.
"Will they encourage peaceful acceptance of the democratic wishes of the majority of the people of Ireland or will they continue to be ambivalent about unionist paramilitaries or obstructionist about peaceful and democratic constitutional change?
"It is not acceptable that these Unionist leaders, who are so loud in their denunciations of republicanism or so dismissive about Irish society, be allowed to avoid answering these questions.
"Given the history of unionism, nationalists are entitled to seek and receive proof of unionist bona fides. When can we expect a confidence building initiative from within unionism?"
Under the Belfast Agreement, parties agreed to respect the result of a referendum on Irish unity in Northern Ireland if it is ever called.
With census results for the North due for release soon, Sinn Féin leaders believe the gap between the majority unionist community and minority nationalists has narrowed, drawing the prospect of a united Ireland in their lifetime closer.
PA